Gleadle and Azu secure British 100m one-two at European Championships

British sprinters Romell Gleadle and Jeremiah Azu finished first and second in the men's 100m final at the European Championships in Birmingham, securing a historic one-two for the host nation. Gleadle, 26, clocked 10.09 seconds to win his first major international gold, building on the bronze medal he won in Rome two years ago. Azu, the 2025 world and European indoor 60m champion, took silver in 10.16 seconds, improving on his bronze medal from 2022. Germany's Owen Ansah finished third. Lamont Marcell Jacobs, the two-time defending European champion and a pre-race favourite, pulled out during the second half of the race due to injury. Jacobs had previously caused a major upset by winning Olympic gold five years ago. This success follows Amy Hunt's victory in the women's 100m 24 hours earlier, cementing Britain's dominance in the sprints on home soil. Gleadle, who broke the 10-second barrier in legal conditions for the first time in June, has recorded sub-10-second times in six races this season, including all conditions. Gleadle dominated the semi-finals before executing a focused start in the final, pulling ahead of the field by the 30-metre mark and maintaining his lead to the finish line. Once a promising 17-year-old who clocked 10.21 seconds in 2017, Gleadle's career was previously hampered by multiple injuries, including a fractured back. By maintaining consistent training this year, he has finally secured the gold medal he believed he was capable of winning two years ago.